Do you need help paying your medical bill?

At Carle, we believe that the cost of healthcare should not stop anyone from receiving necessary care. We offer a number of options for families struggling to pay their health care bills, including convenient payment plans and free or discounted health care through our Community Care Discount Program. The program covers both inpatient and outpatient services. Carle Community Care Discount Program en Espanol »

Services Included in the Program

Community Care applies to medically necessary services provided by:

• Carle Foundation Hospital
• Carle Foundation Physician Services
• Carle Foundation Physicians - Mattoon/Charleston
• Carle Physician Group
• Carle Home Health Services
• Carle Therapy Services
• Carle SurgiCenter - Champaign
• Carle SurgiCenter - Danville
• Carle Arrow Ambulance
• Carle Medical Supply

Not all services are covered by the Community Care Discount Program; please check with a financial services representative to see if your visit will be covered.

For further details about the Carle Community Care Discount Program, read the Carle Community Care Policy»

How We Can Help

When you’re ill, we want you to concentrate on getting well instead of worrying about your bill. Our financial services staff is available to assist you or to direct you to the most appropriate person to help with your needs. Their services include:

• Checking insurance coverage
• Identifying “holes” in that coverage
• Looking for alternative methods of coverage
• Assisting patients in filling out insurance forms
• Helping patients apply for public assistance
• Setting up payment plans
• Helping patients who apply for Carle’s Community Care Discount Program

Assessing Your Need

Whether you are in the hospital or at your doctor's office, a member of the financial services staff is available to speak with you about your financial status. It’s their job to help you evaluate your insurance coverage and help you understand your options, so please don’t hesitate to ask questions.

Let Us Know You Need Help

Please let the receptionist at check-in, your financial services representative or your nurse know if you will need help with your bill. We won’t necessarily know you need help unless you tell us that you do.

Community Care Discount Program

Carle offers a Community Care Discount Program to provide free or discounted care to those who qualify. Here are some general guidelines about the program:

1. Eligibility is based on a review of your family’s income during the past 12 months. We will ask you to provide documentation about your income and will ask questions about your financial assets, including savings accounts and investments. Assets do not include your primary residence, car or funds in official retirement accounts.
2. We will approve discounted care only after all third-party insurance payments, worker’s compensation, public aid or other payments have been received. Discounts will be applied to the balance due after all such payments are received.
3. Before granting discounted care, we may ask you to apply for public assistance. Carle will be happy to help you fill out application forms.
4. In addition to new patients, the program is also open to those who received treatment previously but have had a change in their financial status and can no longer pay their medical bills.
5. Community Care Discount Program benefits will extend for one year from the date of approval. In order to continue receiving a discount, a new application must be submitted for review annually.
6. Community Care Discount Program benefits will only be extended to individuals who live within the Carle service area.

Discount Table (Carle Effective Date 03/24/2013)

Submit an Application

Community Care Discount Program applications are available at registration points at all of our clinics and the Hospital. The application can also be downloaded as a PDF in English and en Español.

Once completed, you can mail your application to Carle Patient Financial Services, PO Box 6002, Urbana IL 61803. You may also come by and drop it off at any Carle front desk or office at the Hospital or within any of our clinics.

If you are not accepted into the Community Care Discount Program, staff can assist you with the appeal process. The first step is to contact Carle Patient Financial Services by calling (888) 71-CARLE (712-2753).

Additional Discount Options

Regardless of income level, if you are uninsured and pay your first guarantor bill in full by the due date, you may be eligible for a 25 percent discount upon request. Contact Carle Patient Financial Services at (888) 71-CARLE (712-2753) for more information.

Uninsured hospital patients who meet certain income, asset and residency requirements may qualify for an uninsured discount, and your annual Carle hospital expenses may be limited to 25 percent of your gross income. (download the uninsured discount application)

If You Have Other Questions

It’s our goal to help you understand your financial assistance options and to help whenever possible. Information and applications are available online. If you have questions, please call a financial services representative at Carle Patient Financial Services at (888) 71-CARLE (712-2753).

Here’s our contact information:

Carle Patient Financial Services
PO Box 6002, Urbana IL 61803
Phone: (888) 71-CARLE (712-2753)